PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte wants retiring Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Carlito Galvez Jr. to be the next presidential peace adviser, Malacañang announced on Wednesday.
Duterte announced his plan during the 32nd Cabinet meeting held at the Malacañan Palace, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
"The President announced his intention to appoint General Carlito Galvez, Jr. to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp)," the Palace official said.
Galvez, a member of the Philippine Military Academy "Sandiwa" Class of 1985, is set to retire as AFP head on December 12.
On November 19, Galvez expressed intent to serve as consultant at the Opapp after his retirement.
If Duterte officially appoints the outgoing military chief as the new head of Opapp, Galvez will assume the post vacated by Jesus Dureza, who resigned after two of his subordinates were linked to corruption.
Duterte fired Undersecretary Ronald Flores and Assistant Secretary Yeshter Don Baccay of Opapp’s Support Services and Panama National Program Management Office because of corruption allegations hurled against the two.
Prior to his appointment as AFP chief, Galvez served as head of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).
Galvez was also named commander of the Basilan-based 104th Infantry Brigade, and head of the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao.
In 2015, Galvez served as the chairman of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities for the government side in the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (SunStar Philippines)